Hydraulic fluid motor-in-wheel



July 14, 1953 F. E. HAWKINS ETAL 2,645,298

I HYDRAULIC FLUID MOTOR-IN-WHEEL Filed July 22, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS FREDERICK E. HAWKINS ROBERT LAPSLEY By GEORGE TZRNER a w i ATTYS.

y 4, 1953 F. E. HAWKINS ETAL HYDRAULIC FLUID MOTOR-IN-WHEEL 6 Shehsr-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1950 FIG. 2

. TURNER INVENTORS FREDERICK E. HAWKINS ROBERT LAPSLEY BY GEORGE E I y 1953 F. E. HAWKINS ETAL 2,645,298

HYDRAULIC FLUI ED MOTOR-IN-WHEEL Filed July-22, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3

INVENTORS FREDERICK E. HAWKINS ROBERT LAPSLEY GEORGE L. TURNER ATTYS.

F. E. HAWKINS arm. 2,645,298

HYDRAULIC FLUID MOTOR-IN-WHEEL July 14, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 22, 1950 FIG. 4

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6 Sheets-Sheet 5 F. E. HAWKINS ETAL HYDRAULIC FLUID MOTOR-IN-WHEEL m NYH W N 5 s m P W TE A T N L A EK Y D 9 VC mmTE ERG DER w mm IL Y July 14, 1953 Filed July 22, 1950 F. E.- HAWKINS ETAL HYDRAULIC FLUID MOTOR-IN-WHEEL Jply 14, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 22, 1950 INVENTORS' ATTYS.

Patented July 14, 1953 7 HYDRAULIC FLUID MOTOR-IN-WHEEL Frederick E. Hawkins,'Niles, Robert Lapsley, Berrien Springs, and George L. Turner, Buchanan, Mich., assignors to Clark Equipment-Company, Buchanan, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application July 22, 1950, Serial No. 175,377

Our invention relates to a combination motor and drive means disposed within a Wheel for driving the latter.

It is an object of our present invention to provide a compact combination hydraulic fluid motor and drive means which may be disposed within a wheel for driving the latter.

We propose to provide a hydraulic fluid motor having an outer casing to which is secured a pair of end cap members, one at each end thereof, and each having portions extending axially of the drive shaft of the motor. Disposed about the casing of the hydraulic fluid motor, in concentric relation thereto, isa wheel housing having end closure members which are rotatably journaled on the axially extending portions of the cap members at the ends of the motor cas ing. The drive shaft extending axially outwardly of the casing of the hydraulic fluid motor serves as an output shaft which, through suitable drive means, is adapted to effect rotation of the rotatable wheel housing when the end cap members of the motor casing are held rigid. Mounted to the outer periphery of the rotatable wheel housing, intermediate of the ends thereof, is a tire assembly through which drive is adapted to be effected to the ground. Our present invention is an improvement over the motor-inwheel disclosed and claimedin our copending application, Serial No. 175,376, filed July 22, 1950, now Patent No. 2,608,598. 1

It is another object of our present invention to provide an end cap member adjacent one end of thehydraulic fluid motor casing through which fluid is adapted to be transmitted for supplying power to the hydraulic fluid motor.

We have formed a pair of cavitieswithin the one end ,cap member, which cavities open inwardly of the rotatable wheel housing. The ends of the cavities within the wheel housing have suitable connection with the one ends of a pair of tubing members, which, in turn, at their other ends, are suitably connected to the ends of the hydraulic fluid motor. When driving the hydraulic fluid motor inone direction fluid under pressure is admitted through one of thecavities and the associated tubing member, while fluid is bled from the other cavity and associated tubing member. If the hydraulic fluid motor is to be driven in the opposite direction the reverse procedure is followed. That is, fluid is bled from the first cavity and associated tubing member, while fluid under pressure is admitted to the other cavityand associated tubing- 5 Claims. (01.180-66) motor-in-wheel construction of our present in:-

It'is still another object of our present invention to provide support means for the end .cap members of the hydraulic fluid motor of a char acter which will permit the combination hy draulic fluid motor and drive means to be removed easily fromthe support means for servicing. L Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and using devices in accordance with the principles of our present invention, we shall describe, in connection with the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of our invention.

In the drawings: Figure l is a vertical sectional view taken along the lengthwise extending median plane of the motor-in-wheel construction of our present invention, with the hydraulic fluid motor shown in elevation; i Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, show-. ing the drive means for our'present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the drive means of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the motor-in-wheel construction of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the hydraulic fluid motor of Figure 1; l I V Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the sub stantially U-shaped inverted'frame memberprovided for supporting the drive means; and

Figure 7 is afront view of the frame member of Figure 6.

Referring now to Figure 1,'there is shown the vention which may, for example, be adapted to rotatably support a horizontally extending frame member ID of an industrial truck. The horizontally extending frame member ID is adapted to be rotatably supported upon a horizontally extending circular ring member H, which comprises a portion of the support means of the motor-in-wheel. Anti-friction balls l4 are providedbetween the frame members 10 and H for permitting relative rotation therebetween Secured to the underside of the frame member ll, adjacent opposite edges thereof, are a pair of vertically downwardly extending plate members 15 and I6 Disposed intermediate the plate members [5 and I6 is a hydraulic fluid motor, indicated generally by the reference numeral IT. The hy-' draulic fluid motor H has a cylindrical casing 18 to which, at the left endthereof, as viewed in the plate member [6.

in Figure 1, is secured, as by a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts iii, an end cap member 25 having a portion extending axially of the drive shaft of the motor. The outer end of the axially extending portion of the end cap member 20 is adapted to seat within an opening formed within the adjacent plate member l and is secured thereto by bolts 9.

Mounted on the outer periphery of the axially extending portion of the end cap member 23 is a ball bearing assembly 26 which is adapted to rotatably support an end closure member 21. The hub of the end closure member 21 is maintained in concentric relation with respect to the ball bearing assembly 26, by means of circular retaining members 28 and 29 which are disposed one on each side of the ball bearing assembly 26 and are secured, as by a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 35, to the end closure'member 21.

The end closure member 2'! is adapted to provide a support for a lengthwise extending cylinidrical wheel housing or casing 33, the cylindrical 'housing'33 being suitably securedv to the outer peripheral edge of the end closure member 21, by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 34. The cylindrical housing 33 is disposed about the motor I! in concentric relation thereto. The wheel housing 33, at its opposite end, is formed with an annular inwardly facing groove 35 which is adapted to receive an internal ring gear 36, which is held in position by an end closure member '31 secured to the cylindrical housing 33, as by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts '38. The ring gear member 35 is provided, with 'circumferentially spaced semispherioal notches at the outer pe riphery thereof, which notches are adapted'to align with the bolts 38 for preventing rotation of the ring gear 35, with respect to the housing 33. The end closure member 31 is journaled on a ball bearing assembly 39 and is held against axial movement with respect thereto, bymeans of the spaced retaining rings 40.

Suitably secured to the casing l8 of the motor I! is an end cap member 43 having a portion ex tending axially of the drive shaft of the motor. The axially extending portion of the end cap member 43 comprises a pair of coaxially aligned spaced apart cylindrical portions 45 and 46 which are interconnected adjacenttheir upper ends by means of an integrally formed web portion 41.

I drical portion 46 is the reduced end portion of a pilot shaft 48. The pilot shaft 48 has an intermediate enlarged portion 49 which is adapted to be disposed within an opening formed in the plate member 15. The pilot shaft 48 has formed at its outer end an enlarged flange portion 50 which is adapted to be suitably secured to the outer surface of the plate member l5, by means of bolts 5|.

It will also be observed that the above-described support means permits the motor I1 and drive means to be removed easily for servicing. That is, by removing the pilot shaft 48 from the end cap member 43, and the bolts 9 which secure 4 means may then be withdrawn from between the plate members l5 and I6.

Formed integrally with the cylindrical wheel housing 33, adjacent the right end of motor 11, as viewed in Figure l, is a radially inwardly extending flange portion 52. A central opening is formed in the flange member 52 and an oil seal ring 53 is disposed between the inner periphery of the flange member 52 and the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 45 of the axially extending portion of the end cap member 43. It will thus be observed that the inwardly extending flange member 52 and the end closure member 31 definea chamber 54 in which is disposed the drive means of our present invention.

Disposed within the cavity 54 is a substantially U-shaped inverted frame member 55 which, as best shown in Figures'b and '7, comprises a vertical plate member 5'6 having a laterally extendthe end cap member 25 to the'plate member I6,

the motor and drive means may be shifted ax ially, permitting the outer end of the end cap member 20 to be withdrawn from the opening The motor and drive ing web portion adjacent the upper end thereof, to which is secured, as by bolts 51, a vertically extending plate member 58. The plate members 56 and 53 are spaced at their lower ends by means of a spa-cermember 62 formed integrally with plate member 55 and bolted to plate member 58. The frame member 55 is adapted to be disposed over the web portion 4'! of the axially extending portion of the end cap member 43 secured to the casing E8 of the motor [1. The frame member 55 is held against rotation, with respect to the end cap member 43, by means of a woodruff key 5 I. The frame member 55 is held against axial movement in'one direction by means of a shoulder 59 formed in the periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 45 of the end cap member 43, and in the other direction by means of a retaining ring 58 which is disposed within an annular groove formed in the outer cylindrical portion 45 of the end cap member 43. Extending outwardly of the end of the casing 48, of the hydraulic fluid motor ll, is a rotatable output shaft 61.

, As shown in Figure 7, three pair of circumferentially spaced openings 63, 64, and 65 are formed in the plate members 56 and 58 of the frame member 55. When the frame member 55 is assembled in position in the motor-'in-wheel construction of our present invention, theopenings 63 lie 7 below a horizontal median plane passingthrough the output shaft 67, at one side of a vertical median plane passing through the output shaft 61; the openings 64 lie below the horizontal median plane in the vertical median plane; and the openings 65 lie below the horizontal median plane at the opposite side of the vertical median plane, as the openings 63. The openings 63, 64, and 65 are provided for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The output shaft 61, at its outer end, has secured thereon, as by a key Ill, a pinion member 69. Referringnow to Figure 3, there is shown the drive means of 'our present invention comprising a meshing gear train which, for the sake of clarity, is shown with the axes of the gears in one plane. outer end a gear portion II which is adapted to have meshing engagement with the first gear portion 12 of a first compound gear member 13,

rotatably journaled by means of needle bearings 14 on a lay shaft 15. The ends of the lay shaft 15 are disposed within the openings 63 formed in the frame member 55.

The first compound gear 13 has a second gear portionlfi which is adapted to have meshing engagement with the first gear portion 11 of a sec The pinion member 69 has at its 0nd compound gear member 18, which is rotatably journaled, as by means of needle bearings (not shown), on a lay shaft 19. The ends of the lay shaft 18 are disposed within the openings 64 in the frame member 55.

The second compound gear 18 has a second gear portion 80 which is adapted to have meshing engagement with a gear portion 8| of a gear member 82, which is rotatably journaled, as by means of needle bearings (not shown), on a lay shaft 83. The lay shaft 83 has its ends disposed within the opening 65 in the frame member 55. The gear portion 8I of the gear member 82 is adapted to have meshing engagement with the aforedescribed ring gear member 30, secured within the rotatable wheel housing 33.

It will thus be observed that drive is efiected from the rotatable output shaft 61 of the motor I1 to the ring gear 30 of the rotatable wheel housing 33, by means of the pinion 1 I, gear por tion 12, gear portion 10, gear portion 11, gear portion 80, and gear portion 8|.

The gear members 13, 18, and 82 are axially spaced between plate members 58 and 58 of the frame member 55, by means of thrust washers 86, secured to the inner faces of the plate members 56 and 58, by means of pin members 81.

Since the chamber 54, defined by end closure member 31 and radially inwardly directed flange member 52, is substantially sealed against oil leakage, it willbe understood that the gears disposed within the chamber; 54 may be run continuously in an oil bath. A suitable drain plug member 86' is provided adjacent the lower end of the end closure member 31.

Secured to the outer periphery of the rotatable wheel housing 33 is' a tire construction comprising a cylindrical sleeve 84 and a tire 95 for efiecting drive from the rotatable wheel housing 33 to the ground.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, thereis shown a pair of radially extending openings I00 and IIlI formed in the depending plate member I6. The fluid openings I00 and IN, adjacent their inner ends, have connection, respectively, with a, pair of substantially L-shaped cavities I02 and I03 formed in the end cap member 20. Suitably secured to the outer periphery of the end cap member 20, within the rotatable wheel housing 33, are a pair of elbow members I04 and I05 which have openings I06 and I01 formed respectively therein. The elbow members I04 and I05 are mounted 180 degrees apart. Suitably mounted to the outer periphery of the casing I8, of the hydraulic fluid motor I1, adjacent the right end thereof, as viewed in Figure 5, is an elbow member I08 having an opening I09 formed therein, The opening I00, adjacent its one end, has suitable connection with the interior of the hydraulic fluid motor I1. The other end of the opening I09 has suitable connection, through a tube member H0, with the aforementioned opening I 06 formed in the elbow member I04.

Also secured to the outer periphery of the casing I8, of the hydraulic fluid motor I1, is an elbow member I I I having an opening I I2 formed therein. The elbow member III is mounted adjacent the left side of the casing I8, as viewed in Figure 5, 180 degrees from the elbow member I08. The one end of the opening II2 has suitable connection with the interior of the hydraulic fluid motor I1. The other end of the opening H2 communicates, through a tube member I I3, with the aforementioned opening I01 formed in the elbow member I05.

A vertical pressure relief opening I I4 is formed in the depending plate member I6 and, at its inner end, opens into an axially extending opening II5 formed in the end cap member 20. The other end of the opening II5 has suitable connection with the hydraulic fluid motor I1, for a purpose well known in the art.

Oil seals I20 are disposed about the outer ends of openings I02, I03, and I I5 for sealing the junction of the openings I02, I03, and II 5 in the end cap member 20 with the openings I00, IIII,

and H4 formed in the depending plate member I 6, when the hydraulic fluid motor I1 is in mounted position. Oil seals I2I and I22 are also disposed in the elbow members I04 and I08, respectively, for preventing oil leakage past the tube member IIO. Oil seals I23 and I24 are disposed within the elbow members I05 and III, respectively, for preventing oil leakage past the tube member H3.

When fluid under pressure is admitted through the opening I00 in plate member I6, cavity I02 in end cap member 20, elbow member I04, tube member H0, and elbow member I08, into the hydraulic fluidmotor I1, the latter is driven in one direction. When fluid is bled from the opening I00, cavity, I02, elbow member I04, tube H0, and elbow member I08, and fluid under pressure is admitted through opening IOI in plate member I6, cavity I03 in end cap member 20, elbow member I05, tube member H3, and elbow member I I I, into the hydraulic fluid motor I1, the latter is driven in the, opposite direction. Fluid under pressure is adapted to be selectively ad mitted to either or the openings I00 or Hill, in the plate member I1, in a conventional manner.

From the foregoing description it will be realized that when fluid under pressure is admitted to either of the openings I00 or IN the output shaft 61 of the hydraulic fluid motor I1 will rotate, which will efiect rotary movement of the pinion1l, which, in turn, will effectrotary movement of the gear portion 12, gear portion 16, gear portion 11, gear portion 80, gear portion 81, and ring gear 35, causing rotation of the rotatable wheel housing 33. Since the casing I8 of the hydraulic fluid motor I1 is suitably secured to the spaced apart vertically downwardly extending plate members I5 and I6, through the end cap members 20 and 43, the casing I8 is held against rotation which provides-a suitable reaction point for driving the cylindrical housing 33. While we have shown and described what we believe to be a preferred embodiment of our present invention, it will be understood that various rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of our present invention.

We claim: l. A motor-in-wheel construction comprising, a pair of vertically extending spaced apart plate members, a hydraulic fluid motor including a casing disposed intermediate said plate members, a pair of end cap members one secured to each end of said casing, one of said end cap memfluid motor intermediate said plate members, the

ends of said rotatable wheel housing being journaled on said end cap members, said one end cap member having a pair of cavities formed therethrough, said cavities adjacent their outer 7 ends being adapted to be placed selectively in communication with a source of fluid under pressure, a pair of elbow members secured to said hydraulic fluid motor casing and having com munication with said fluid motor, fluid com municating means between said cavities and said elbow members, an output shaft extending from said fluid motor, and drive means between said output shaft and said rotatable wheel housing for effecting driving connection therebetween.

2. A motor-in-wheel construction comprising, a pair of vertically extending spaced apart plate members, a hydraulic fluid motor including a casing disposed intermediate said plate members, a pair of end cap members one secured to each end of said casing, one of said end cap.

members at the outer end thereof adapted to seat within an opening in the adjacent plate member, means for mounting the other of said end cap members to the adjacent plate member, a rotatable wheel housing disposed about said fluid motor intermediate said plate members, the ends of said rotatable wheel housing being journaled on said end cap members, said one end cap member having a pair of cavities formed therethrough, said cavities adjacent their outer ends being adapted to be' placed selectively in communication with a source of fluid 'under pressure, a pair of elbow members mounted to said one end cap member within said rotatable wheel housing, said elbow members having communication with said cavities in said one end cap member, fluid communicating means between said elbow members and said fluid motor, an

output shaft extending from said fluid motor,

and drive means between said output shaft and said rotatablewheel housing for efiecting driving connection therebetween.

3. A motor-in-wheel construction. comprising, a pair of vertically extending spaced apart plate members, a hydraulic fluid motor including a casing disposed intermediate said plate members, a

pair of end cap members one secured to each end of said casing, one of said end cap members at the outer end thereof being adapted to seat within an opening in the adjacent plate member, means for mounting the other of said end cap members to the adjacent plate member, a-

rotatable wheel housing disposed about said hydraulic fluid motor intermediate said plate members, the ends of said rotatable wheel housing being journaled on said end cap members, said one end cap member having a pair of cavities formed therethrough, said cavities adjacent their outer ends'being adapted to be placed selectively u shaft extending from said fluid motor, and drive" 7 means between said output shaft and said rotatable wheel housing for effecting driving connection therebetween.

4. A motor-in-wheel construction comprising, a pair of vertically extending spaced'apart plate members, a hydraulic fluid motor including a casing disposed intermediate said plate members, a pair of end cap members one secured to each end of said casing, one of said end cap members at the outer end thereof being adapted to seat within an opening in the adjacent plate member, means formounting the other of said end cap members to the adjacent plate member, a rotatable wheel housing disposed about said fluid motor intermediate said plate members, the ends of said rotatable wheel housing being journaled on said end cap members, said one end cap member having a pair of cavities formed therethrough, said cavities adjacent their outer ends being adapted to be placed selectively in communicationwith a source of fluid under pressure, a first pair of elbow members mounted to said one end cap member within said rotatable wheel housing, said first elbow members having communication with said cavities in said one end cap member, a second pair of elbow members secured to said hydraulic fluid motor casing and having communication with said fluid motor, a pair of tube members interconnecting said first elbow members with said second elbow members, an output shaft extending from said fluid motor, and drive means between said output shaft and said rotatable wheel housing for effecting driving connection therebetween.

'5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said first elbow members are 'mounted 180 degrees apart and said second elbow members are mounted 180 degrees apart at opposite ends of said hydraulic fluid motor.

FREDERICK E. HAWKINS. ROBERT LAPSLEY. GEORGE L. TURNER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Moon Nov. 11, 1947 

